When I began my term as chair of the ABA’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service in 2013 I knew that the Committee had a busy slate of activities. I had completed a full three year term on the Committee, was honored to be appointed to serve as Chair and was ready to lead the ABA’s pro bono initiatives to the next level. The scope of the Committee’s efforts has turned out to be even more impressive and impactful than I ever imagined it would be, in both scope and depth. As 2015 draws to a close, here is a review of the Committee’s work over the past twelve months:

ABA Working Group on Unaccompanied Minor Immigrants

Co-sponsor with the ABA Commission on Immigration

Developed and implemented training for potential pro bono volunteers in collaboration with various ABA entities

In May 2015 the ABA’s Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service voted to use the Online Tennessee Justice system as a framework for building, maintaining and staffing a national pro bono website

The ABA Board of Governors authorized moving forward with the project at its November 2015 meeting

Committee members and staff are regularly invited to participate in meetings, conference and other programs relating to the utilization of pro bono as a core component of the legal services delivery system.

HOW YOU CAN HELP (DO PRO BONO!! TAKE A CASE – my #1)

It is an honor for the Committee’s staff and volunteers to actively promote pro bono as a key component of the legal services delivery system. To be successful, we need your help. Here are the top 5 (from lowest to highest priority) ways in which you can support our efforts:

Consider a charitable contribution to support the Committee’s activities. Many of the projects described above depend on the generosity of our contributors. Donate HERE by designating your contribution to “Other” and inserting “The Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service” in the accompanying box that appears.

Keep us updated on your pro bono policy and programmatic developments. Send us (abaprobono@americanbar.org) examples of your program flyers, intake forms, co-counsel agreements and more for us to add to our Clearinghouse of pro bono material. Call us for assistance. We stand ready to help you with all of your pro bono project development needs. Contact Cheryl Zalenski with your requests for assistance at 312-988-5770.

Take a pro bono case. Sign up to represent one of the many unaccompanied minor immigrants desperately in need of legal help or sign up for ABA Legal Answers when it goes live in your state next year orfind a legal services provider in your community who needs lawyers to help preserve someone’s home or other vital right. It’ll be a win-win-win for you, the program and your client.

Happy Holidays and Best Wishes for the New Year!

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Mary K. Ryan is a partner at the law firm of Nutter McClennen & Fish LLP and Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Pro Bono & Public Service.